Does playing with building blocks encourage children’s development?

Kindergartens

Early Childhood Centres

Schools

European Quality Products www.matador.net.nz 216 Forrest Hill Road, Auckland North Shore Tel.: 09 410 6351, info@matador.net.nz

Yes, building models from wooden blocks and pins does develop fine motor skills. Children improve their handicraft expertise

through play. And they learn to work with tools: there is a hammer for building and pliers and a wedge for taking things apart again.

With all the emphasis we put today on learning and development, children must not miss out on playing. Playing should be the primary function in a pre-school environment. Matador beautifully combines play with cognitive and physical

development.

The Matador Ki series is tailored for our 3-5 yrs olds. The blocks are made in Austria from untreated

beech wood and are ideally suited to their little hands (4x4 cm with rounded

corners and edges).

The Matador Classic series is designed for 5+ year old children. The smaller blocks (2x2 cm), wheels in many

sizes and axles allow the young engineer to build quite complex machines.

Children can work independently or in groups, helping and encouraging each other. Once the model is built,

the children will enjoy playing with their new toy. At any time it can be taken apart, ready for the

next project.

The illustrated instructions show the models in sufficient detail for the young craftsman to

assemble complex structures. Of course, the blocks can be put together in any way and every child will also construct their own fantasy models.

The regular Matador sets are designed for individual children.

The KiGa series has more parts and is tailored for groups of children - the ideal toy for any pre-school environment.

But it is not just a toy. The Classic series has been used as a teaching aid in European schools, even in universities for many

decades. After the Second World War, Matador sets could be imported into South Africa despite the ban on the import of

toys. This was possible because Matador was classified as teaching aid!

Matador parts are very robust and will guarantee many years of enjoyment for the children. All parts can be replaced

individually. Additional pins, axels and sets of tools are available at very low cost.

The Matador KiGa Series

The KiGa 3 is the smallest of

the large construction kits.

It contains 330 of the larger Ki

pieces, including 3 sets of tools and instructions. It is

designed for groups of three or more children.

Age group: 3-5 years

The KiGa 6 set contains

660 of the larger Ki pieces, including 6 sets

of tools and instructions. It is designed for groups

of six or more children.

Age group: 3-5 years

The KiGa Classic kit

contains 1300 of the smaller Classic pieces,

including 6 sets of tools and instructions. It is

designed for groups of six or more children.

Age group: 5 years up

The illustrated instructions encourage the children to build

3-dimensional models from a 2-dimensional illustration. The smaller projects are very simple to start with. Larger models

require more skill and patience to build. Children will learn to focus and sharpen their problem solving skills. Creativity and

self-confidence will grow with each successful project, while playing and having fun.

Illustration in the instruction manual ...

… and the finished model

European Quality Products www.matador.net.nz 216 Forrest Hill Road, Auckland North Shore Tel.: 09 410 6351, info@matador.net.nz

Like all generations before us, we all want the best for our

children.

Building models with Matador parts teaches children how to plan

and how to picture the outcome in three dimensions. Complex models require patience, concentration and persistence. More often

than not the final result is not what had been planned at the start. The young engineer needs to correct, dismantle some parts, or

start all over again.

Larger models will take days to build and this is a great way to

learn discipline and even on how to overcome frustration. The outcome will always bring a great sense of satisfaction and pride.

Some of the feedback we have received from various pre-school centres:

Nicole Ellwood, manager of 4woods Early Learning Centre (Te Puke): " ... What a fantastic, sturdy and stable resource that extends children's imagination and fine motor skills ..."

Raewyn Farrell, manager of Kidicorp ABC Sunset (Rotorua): " ... children love it! ..."

Stephanie Brough, manager of Curious Keas (Piopio): " ... fantastic, ... teachers are impressed, .... the children don't want us to put it away"

Joy Jordan, manager of Montessori Small Steps Preschool (Matakana): " ... children love it!"